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to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Latte art, anyone?
All cities have coffee shops, right? It doesn’t matter where you are, the big three will be there ready to tempt you in for a perfectly-brewed caffeine fix (or decaffeinated, if you prefer).
So, how can a coffee shop make a city special?
It’s all about the independents.
And with October 1st designated as International Coffee Day, you’ve got the perfect excuse to try one of the great little coffee shops in and around Leicester.
Here’s our city-centric barista’s half-dozen to help get your heart racing…
Artisan coffee roasters and self-confessed proud coffee geeks, 200 Degrees’ Leicester branch is a 90-seater coffee shop in a beautiful art-deco detailed building at the heart of the city centre.
Along with some of the best coffee in town, there’s a tasty menu of freshly made sandwiches and cakes.
Top tip: The cortado. Or the cappuccino. No, definitely the cortado.
Find it at 10-12 Market Street or online here
This fantastic coffee shop at the heart of Leicester’s historic old town, is about as independent as they come. The coffee is roasted at St Martin’s own roastery just a short walk away at Friday Street, after which the house blend expresso takes its name.
For the true coffee connoisseur, the knowledgeable baristas are happy to give a tour of the single origin coffees on offer and brew them just to your taste. For everyone else it’s a coffee shop with a genuinely relaxed atmosphere, a great burger menu and who knows, it might just turn you to the dark side of the espresso.
And if you’re looking to hone your latte art skills, they even offer masterclasses for the home barista at their roastery.
Top tip: The flat white, for sure.
Find it at 2-6 St Martin’s Walk or online here
Not your typical coffee shop with just a handful of seats, Bread and Honey really is a little treasure. Enjoy a faultless Monmouth coffee – chosen after months of seeking out the perfect blend – with a slice of delicious homemade cake and relax.
Top tip: Go for the coffee and cake, stay for the tunes.
Find it at 15 King Street or online here
The Coffee Counter
Another specialist small batch coffee roaster, you can be sure of the freshness of your espresso here. A nicely relaxed atmosphere in the middle of the city centre makes this the perfect stop for a lunchtime coffee during a visit to the city or a shopping trip with friends.
Top tip: Cappuccino and cake
Find it at 23 Bowling Green Street
Based a little way out of the city centre, but close to the De Montfort Hall and the beautiful Victoria Park, this traditional little café and coffee shop is a social enterprise that supports the work of local charity the Open Hands Trust.
All food is made fresh on the premises using locally sourced ingredients and the coffee comes from their barista buddies at St Martin’s Coffee Roasters.
Top tip: enjoy coffee and cake while supporting a great local charity.
Find it at 108 London Road, or online here
Open late and with a lovely splash of upcycled character, Bru is a great place to stop off if you want round off your night with a coffee.
Board games are a great draw, but their sweet treats are the real tease. There’s an impressive range of gelato and their ‘bronkie’ make you wonder why someone didn’t blend a brownie and cookie sooner.
Top tip: Drink coffee. Stay up late.
Find it at 20-22 Granby Street or online here
Extra shot..?
Saints of Mokha on Evington Road deserves a very special mention for its incredible latte art. Want to see a cute cat on your rainbow cappuccino? Why wouldn’t you?
Check out some of their awesome posts on instagram.
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A brilliant coffee shop, specialising in fresh roasted coffee and locally sourced food.
Is there anything better than freshly roasted coffee? St Martins is a café that captivates your senses from the moment you walk in – the aroma of roasting beans will be sure to enchant any coffee lover, and the selection of teas and changing seasonal menu is enough to satisfy even if you don’t want a caffeine hit.
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